LONDONDERRY — Concerts on the Common kicked off its 11th season Monday with the Londonderry High School jazz and rock bands. The remaining concerts will be held on Wednesdays, from 7 to 8:30 p.m.
The artists and bands range from local groups to regional performers. Different local groups will be offering concessions at the concerts and there will be an ice cream truck.
Rain doesn't stop performances. If it's raining, the concert moves to the LHS cafeteria, just north of the Common.
On Wednesday, June 13, hear Not Too Sharp, an all-male a cappella group from the University of New Hampshire, perform popular modern music. The group continues to sport a varied repertoire and their trademark upbeat humor.
On June 20 the '60s Invasion will offer tributes to Elvis Presley, Bob Dylan or Roy Orbison in costume. They play music and trivia from 1060s TV shows .
Amber Rubarth will perform June 27. She has become a fixture in New York's indie scene. Her fourth album, "A Common Case of Disappearing," highlights her raw, vulnerable voice against a driving band. The album debuted at Number 13 on iTunes Songwriter charts, and features duets with Jason Reeves and Jason Mraz.
There will not be a concert July 4.
July 11 brings The Off Season Band, showcasing some local talent. It's a classic rock band, with emphasis on music from the 1960s, 1970s, 1980s and 1990s.
Jamie Lynn Hart Band performs July 18. Boston based artist Jamie Lynn Hart creates a seamless blend of rock and pop that backs up her powerhouse belt and infectious melodies. Her rocking band provides a solid foundation for her retro-soul and pop melodies, and backs off for the intimate acoustic ballads.
Chris Robinson brings his band, The 123s to the stage July 25. This LHS (and now Keene State) graduate is no stranger to Concerts on the Commons.
On Aug. 1, welcome back Merrily James and Band. James grew up in Seattle, where she learned to sing by touring with the Total Experience Gospel Choir, and later formed her own seven-piece funk band, The Bucket of Soul.
A recent graduate of Berklee College of Music, James has performed for Linda Ronstadt and Smokey Robinson, and has shared the stage with Bobby McFerrin, Phillip Bailey, Don Was and Rocco Prestia.
For the last show of 2012 on Aug. 8, recording artists Ken Yates and Brian Dunne will perform. Both are gifted singer-songwriters, with excellent resumes and strong followings.
Dunne's pop/rock style is widely influenced by Sam Cooke, Tom Waits and Bruce Springsteen. Yates went to Berklee School of Music.
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